2011 Draft Rumors & Discussion

I don't think the Raps suck that much as the American experts say but playoffs is a hard goal to achieve. So having the 9th or 10th pick sound right to me. And this kid is special

This happen just a week ago in the Euroleague. I mean, not the D-League or NCAA, the Euroleague, with just 18 years old:

Meijia won this week’s Euroleague MVP award, as he scored 29 points (10/15 FG), grabbed 5 boards and dished out 3 assists (35 index rating).
Lietuvos Rytas center Jonas Valanciunas, a projected Top-5 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, was second in this week’s ranking, as he scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots in only 23 minutes (26 index rating).
While Rubio can’t find his game, Valanciunas is proving that he is ready to transition to the NBA. The 18-years-old center is averaging 10 points and 6.4 rebounds, and he’s second in the Euroleague in field goal percentage (77 percent).

"the Lithuanian national team frontcourt appears to be in excellent hands for the future with the emergence of Jonas Valanciunas and Donatas Motiejunas—two big men that appear to complement each other extremely well."

As you know, a lot of experts drew comparitions between Motiejunas and Bargs, so Jonas could be an excelent piece around Bargniani.

The other thing:

"the strongest part of his game right now revolves around his rebounding and defensive skills."

How is that racist? Don't want to speak for Apollo, but I think he meant, we don't need another Bargnani like big man on our team-extremely poor rebounder who is suspect on the defensive end, and has lapses on focus and intensity.

You're confusing both players. The one similar to Bargs is Monteijunas, projeted to be a Tpo 10 last year until he withdrew from the draft. Valanciunas is lithuanian too, two years younger and excelent rebouder and defender. He's the one I want the Raps to draft.

I agree with Apollo about Monteiunas, I don't want him along Bargs, that wouldn't look good

While Motiejunas leaves an incredibly strong impression with the talent he’s displaying on the offensive end, his work defensively and on the glass can’t be described as anything less than worrisome. Possessing average fundamentals on this end of the floor, Motiejunas is somewhat of a liability when attempting to defend on the perimeter. He’s extremely upright in his stance and shows very little in the ways of hustle or awareness, getting burned repeatedly in the film we took in.

His lack of strength is a major issue, but so is his extremely poor balance, as you regularly see him being knocked to the ground in every game he plays in. He gets pushed around by smaller players fairly often, giving up deep position in the post, and in turn easy baskets.

He remains an incredibly poor defensive rebounder, grabbing just 46 defensive rebounds in 448 total minutes, or one for every 10 minutes he’s on the court. Although rebounds are tougher to come by in Europe than they are in the NCAA, it’s tough to ignore the fact that he ranks amongst the worst defensive rebounders in his own league on a per-minute basis.

Yeah, I think Montiejunas would do absolutely nothing to complement Bargnani. Still, it'll be very interesting to see where the three euro big men (Montiejunas, Valanciunas, and Kanter) are ranked come draft day. I think Kanter would be the clear favorite between the three of them if it weren't for potential knee problems. Beyond those three, it's a very weak draft for big men, so that might artificially increase their values.

You're confusing both players. The one similar to Bargs is Monteijunas, projeted to be a Tpo 10 last year until he withdrew from the draft. Valanciunas is lithuanian too, two years younger and excelent rebouder and defender. He's the one I want the Raps to draft.

I agree with Apollo about Monteiunas, I don't want him along Bargs, that wouldn't look good

O... There is no way we're drafting Monteiunas. BC isn't a moron, he's not going to draft a player when we have someone exactly like him on the team and have glaring needs at other positions.

I would go with Terrance Jones or Jordan Hamilton over either. Hamilton would be another LA product for the Raptors. Although, hypothetically speaking, it does not appear Jones will be around at 10 and Hamilton would probably be too early.

Miami lost again. That draft pick keeps getting higher and higher.

I cannot see the Raptors not drafting a PG either. I.e. the Raptors should be drafting a PG whether Irving, Knight, Walker or McCamey.

We don't need anymore front court players. I hope that we will be able to sign a Point Guard, because that is the position we need the most. But he could definitely be a backup for Bargnani at the 5. A young, defensive center would be great.

If the Raptors draft Motiejunas I'm done with them until Colangelo leaves... Nice find all the same Raul.

Raciest?

That's pretty bold. Explain to me how what I said is racist? I expect you have a pretty good reason as such a statement is a direct attack towards my character and integrity.

.40 Cal Flakes wrote:

How is that racist? Don't want to speak for Apollo, but I think he meant, we don't need another Bargnani like big man on our team-extremely poor rebounder who is suspect on the defensive end, and has lapses on focus and intensity.

Exactly. Maybe I should have elaborated, so my bad there, but I still don't see how RaptorsFan4Life connected certain dots.

Raúl wrote:

I agree with Apollo about Monteiunas, I don't want him along Bargs, that wouldn't look good

No it would not unless Colangelo's wish is for the team to get annihilated in the defensive paint and on the glass for the next decade.

RaptorsFan4Life wrote:

O... There is no way we're drafting Monteiunas. BC isn't a moron, he's not going to draft a player when we have someone exactly like him on the team and have glaring needs at other positions.

Glad 40 and Raul could help you find your way.

Lucamacus wrote:

Did any of you even read the original post? He clearly states drafting Jonus Valentvas would be a nice fit, not the bargs clone, read again guys

I read it properly but my comment was just a general statement. Again, I should have elaborated more initially so sorry about that. A bunch of mock drafts for the past couple years have been slotting the Raptors in for Motiejunas.

I tend to agree that the Raptors should look for a future PG with their pick. If they go for a big, I think Jared Sullinger is intriguing. He is an aggressive low-post scorer and rebounder in the Milsap mold. Kind of like Reggie Evans but with a sophisticated offensive game.